KLM set to join SkyTeam alliance
 

> KLM has made the decision to join the SkyTeam alliance, according to
senior European sources close to the negotiations.
> An announcement is set to occur within the next 2-6 weeks. Entry into
SkyTeam means that KLM's US partners, Northwest Airlines and Continental
Airlines, will be joining the group as well. Continental and NWA already are
closely aligned with SkyTeam founding partner Delta Air Lines in a three-way
domestic US codesharing alliance.
> The decision also means that KLM will be aligned again with Alitalia, its
former partner, as well as Air France. European sources say that with the
new additions, SkyTeam will be on a par with Star Alliance in terms of size
and antitrust immunity, at least over the Atlantic.--
>

I hope this does not mean that KLM and NWA will cut back to Delta FF standards.

Beginning of the end for KLM, although, they have been decreasing in quality for the last few years getting ready to meet DL's standard. Very Very Very sad!

Delta probably has the least appealing program for Skyteam FT's. Thankfully, it hasn't devaluated FF programs of its Skyteam partners. Air France awards highest credentials for ~half the amount of miles, CSA continues to provide free int'l upgrades for their elites - and also has much lower qualification thresholds, etc. I hope KLM retains its much more competitive program despite the partnership !

KLM finally makes decision for SkyTeam
 

As reported by ATWonline, KLM has finally accepted the nigh-inevitable... and decided to cast its lot for SkyTeam.

Seems NW/CO are now a shoo-in as well http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

------------------
A340s don't fly... they're repelled from Earth by their ugliness!

That should take care of that pesky Australia problem, thanks to KLM's codeshare partner, Malaysia. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

"Sorry you cannot upgrade on a codeshare partner of a Sk***am Alliance member." http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

"Sorry, no awards on a codeshare partner of a Sk***am Alliance member." http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

"Mileage credit?!? Ahahahaha!!!" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

<the above are hypothetical and not actual Sk****am Alliance rules>

Unfortunately I don't remember the rules so readily recalled by members of this board, but I meeting with a group in SJU that wants to go to JNB next year. Would this KLM agreement help me get an upgrade via AMS?

Excellent. I hope that KLM will honour DL PM status, and that it will become possible to book award travel with DL points on KL and the other way around :-)

Great! This should create more options for my RTW next year!

JP

For those that plan to stay on with DL, the admission of KLM to ST is very good news. AMS is a wonderful airport and efficient hub. From what I hear, it is far more friendly and efficient that CDG.

KLM also has very close ties with Malaysian, and it would not be surprising to me if MH eventually joined ST as well. And maybe even Emirates as well!

AMS is a very nice airport, much better than CDG. I have neen connecting through AMS for several years now.It's all one building, albeit enormous. It usually take 45 minutes to walk from KLM's European (Schengen) gates to Delta's, with a passport control in-between. If you have time there are lot's of things to see and do. And frequent trains to downtown AMS underneath. And lots of transfer desks.
And there are 4 lounges I can get into through PriorityPass. One even has showers.
CDG has no lounges (unless you fly C) and uses big smelly slow buses to move the self-loading cargo.
And KL's service in Y is quite good.

AMS is a great airport. I actually think if KLM joins SkyTeam, that AF will loose quite a bit of business. Good for AF.

So SkyTeam is on its way to becoming the leading (as in largest http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) alliance.

Eff Oct 1 flight 38 from ATL to AMS becomes a B777.

Still bottom of the barrel looser alliance.

I do not see how you can call SkyTeam the loser alliance. Star seems to be the bankrupt alliance: UA, US, AC, then there used to be Ansett.

Look at the members, UA may be bankrupt but AF is still AF. Do you really fly, surely AF does not treat you better then the rest of the DL pax? If so, why?

I'd rather fly a RTW on *A over Sk***am anyday. Better partners, better lounges. Of course, I'd rather do it on OW over *A too...

I do fly AF frequently, and I don't find they're service awful, in the air or on the ground. What i've found is communicating in French, even so little as parlez-vous anglais (U.S. keyboards, dangit), gets a much better reception than "da**it, i'm an American, service me or we'll destroy you". It's all relative, I expect foreigners visiting the U.S. to know a few English phrases. Not only does it make it easier for them but it can also make their visit a safer one. I think it's adds to the fun of communication to know a little of the country's launguage in which your visiting/connecting. The exception to this is to/from AMS (i'm thrilled with the addition of KLM). I find the Dutch wanting to talk my ear off in English, every person in Amsterdam i've experienced loves the practice. So after all this chatter to answer your question, I find that AF treats me at least equal (I never expect better), than any other pax!! Quite frankly, i'm rather skeptical that UAL is going to make it through bankruptcy.

Cheers!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

crimguy1976, very interesting....

I do not speak French nor do I want to. I have problems with AF about 1/3rd of the time.

AMS, yes, the Dutch are great and all want to practice their English. In fact, I would probably speak better Nederlands if the Dutch would speak to me in Nederlands. However, once they here my American accent, they break into English trying to please me and practice at the same time.

KLM on the other hand, their service has gone down hill over the past 5 years, but are still far better then AF as far as services on the ground (and often times AF service on the ground is enough to make me avoid AF for the next year.)

UA not coming out of bankruptcy? Maybe, maybe not. But I think their chances of survival are far greater then DL who will be in bankruptcy when their cash runs out and in far worse position then UA is now. Don't forget, DL is bleeding in all directions, they just happen to have more cash sitting around then UA. DL is chasing off it's loyal customers as it cuts cost, so only time will tell. Maybe DL and US both wont make it, maybe they will. However, I fly based on price and service, and DL gets neither of those, at least most of the time. *A beats SK**AM without question, though, KLM certainly is help, but only takes it for horrible to almost horrible.

Remember that in all liklihood, both CO and NW will join ST as well as KLM.

Your AF experience, and comments on language and culture in general echoes my own experiences. What few phrases in French I know, I mangle horribly, yet I find that if I use them, with a bit of patience, and humour at my own expense, people (yes, EVEN Parisans) are willing to try to understand and help me (even to the point of admitting that they speak English). I've never received substandard treatment on AF. In fact, I've occasionally been treated a bit better on AF than I have on Delta (and that is with the supposedly dreaded AF ground people). Of course, I've also had to have a DL ticket agent go and yell at AF in French for me on one occasion, but then, I've had to complain in Crown Rooms, or in writing, about some bad DL experiences as well. It all comes with the rest of the joys of travel.

KLM and SkyTeam: Getting Closer
 

It can't happen soon enough ... I've got to go to JNB ...

If you had a choice of flying through AMS or CDG what would your choice be? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Let me think http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
Trying to recall how I like AMS airport, but those thoughts are all a blur http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

AMS, no question for me because I want to layover.

At the risk of sounding too "a pox on everyone's house," I don't know that KLM is any better than AF; they are both on par with mediocre American carriers. Shiphol is clearly better than CDG, but Paris (if you're laying over) is much nicer than Amsterdam. For some it may seem like a no-brainer, but I would really have to think about which is the lesser of two evils.

There is a hotel near the airport in Amsterdam that works well for my kind of layovers.
Also, KLM gives me the best chance of upgrading a ticket from OKC to JNB.

Then w/o any questions, you are clearly not a FF on KLM or AF.

In all my travel experience, I have never met a KLM employee that has been anything but very helpful. KLM customer service far surpases DL any day. Some of the nicest people! Also, DL at AMS, my favoriette station, I even have mobile numbers of a few agents incase I need a lift to the airport!

Take it from someone who has flown both quite a lot, while KLM is no CX, they are way better than AF, Af of course being the Ariana of any such simile.

Totally agree.

Hmmmmmm.....KLM.....Amsterdam....all of a sudden I got the munchies.

European airlines in general are very stingy with upgrades to the point of being Uncle Scrooge's http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I suppose I was remembering being able to do this on Swiss Airlines the last time I stopped in JNB on my way to Harare.

You win, JRF. I clearly do not have a right to an opinion. I'll bet you earn more than me too.

It is not a matter of winning or loosing, it is the fact that employees of KLM are without any question, nicer then the employees of AF.

The only travelor that would argue with this would be a French person, for the sake of defending the French of someone who claims to travel alot and have a good understanding of KLM and AF and does not.

I am a little sensative on this one, as I have travelled quite a bit on AF and KLM, and I know the truth.

As far as me making more money then you do, I am not sure why you decided to bring that into the post, but I have no idea how much money you make and don't care. Of course, if you want to make sure I make more then you, send me an email and I will send you my address and you can post me a check, ensuring I earn more then you! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I think it somewhat arrogant of you to assume that you know the "truth" (as you say) about KLM merits vs. AF. You have an opinion -- others have other opinions. The subtext to your first response--"your opinion is not as valid as mine"--was why I imply that you are engaging in silly "mine's bigger"-ism. (PS: As you seem to be a literalist, let me make clear that I am not soliciting your bank statements nor asking you to post any photos). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif